Trucking out of January’s isolation
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Freedom Convoy 2022 fed the media for a weekend with moments like appropriating the statue of Terry Fox, but Ottawa mayor Jim Watson would rather not see it drag into Monday. Doug Ford resurfaced to condemn the use of swastikas and such. Some participants were also caught on film dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
We gotta get out of this place
Polling from Angus Reid reflects a nation more ready than not to get back to reality. But a poll from Ipsos had one in five Canadians saying they may never be comfortable without masks or vaccine mandates. Nonetheless, a six-week process for the reopening of Ontario is underway, even if Justin Trudeau is stuck indoors with Omicron after testing positive.
Joni Mitchell’s reunion with Neil Young revolting against Spotify. The legendary Canadians were joined by Crazy Horse guitarist Nils Lofgren in leaving the platform. Joe Rogan said he’s a fan, while backing Spotify’s content warning additions. Amazon and Apple are seizing the moment to promote their wares.
The receipts from Cecil Street
Two former Black Lives Matter Toronto members explained why they left in a mid-January statement on Twitter. Their allegations related to an $8.1-million building in downtown Toronto eventually made its way to the right-wing U.S. media. Public records about the purchase revealed more about the funding:
Jay “Maddog” Michaels is leaving Toronto radio for Montreal. Most recently heard on Newstalk 1010, his new job will also be with Bell Media, whose CHOM morning man, Terry DiMonte, exited last year. Maddog’s prior talk radio co-host, Ryan Doyle, returned to Twitter after vanishing from the AM dial—he now has an online sports betting show.
Finally, memories of mayhem
Pamela Anderson is now undergoing her fifth divorce, but she also recently won a development variance permit to expand her property in Ladysmith, B.C. And then there’s the retro discourse unleashed by the Groundhog Day debut of the miniseries Pam & Tommy. But she’s reportedly not happy with retelling a 1995 sex tape scandal: